The project has been made possible through a $16 million donation from the Weston family to Swim Drink Fish. The City of North Vancouver is contributing $5 million in capital funding, staff resources to manage implementation; and ongoing responsibility for the operation and maintenance of the deck.
Because the project is at the feasibility and concept stage, the actual costs to operate and maintain this infrastructure will become clearer as the technical work advances. At this stage we are looking at an estimated cost of $500K a year, which will include staffing, security, safety, physical maintenance, and needed amenities like change and washrooms.
We anticipate that construction will begin in spring 2026 with an expected opening in 2027.
Is it safe to swim in Burrard Inlet?
The proposed area is zoned for recreational use, and as such, a swim deck is considered appropriate for the site by all the authorities that manage these waters. This project is also built on two years of water quality testing by Swim Drink Fish. The results show it has been consistently suitable for swimming. The site’s water quality has consistently met or exceeded the standards for swimming established by Health Canada’s Guidelines for Canadian Recreational Water Quality and the Province of British Columbia’s Recreational Water Quality Guidelines.
The swimming structure will be designed to minimize contact with boat traffic and debris, providing a well-managed and carefully monitored setting for public recreation within Burrard Inlet.
For more information on swimmable water and what that means, visit Swim Drink Fish's website.
What kind of testing has been done?
For the past two summers Swim Drink Fish has conducted bacterial testing to assess the day-to-day suitability of the water for recreation. Bacterial indicators (E. coli) are the most relevant measure for swimmer health and e. coli levels were consistently well below the threshold of 200 CFU/100 mL. Testing included wet and dry weather and high and low tides, confirming stable, reliable results.
Learn more about Swim Drink Fish's water quality testing on their website.